My Bulgaria: Forums

spannerman · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2012 6:22 pm Post subject: Taking pets through Serbia

Hi all

Just wondered if anyone had taken their dog through serbia and what if any problems did they face?

We're taking ours with us in August and would prefer this route now it's easier and cheaper to cross.

Many thanks.

nonez · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2012 6:41 pm Post subject:

not done serbia but some people seem to have trouble...check defra website as serbia are not in the eu rules for entry to the UK are not the same as traveling through eu countries

brianj42 · Mega User! Joined: Oct 20, 2005 Posts: 2652

Officially. You are exiting the EU to a non listed country and therefore the dogs passport is null and void and you "should" have to go through a new passport again.

Unofficially. Many including ourselves have done it on numerous occasions with no hassle as they don't stamp the dogs passport.

But

Its a lottery and you could pick the day when the bloke on the border post's wife has left him for a Brit working at the Embassy and that day he is going to make any Brits coming across hell.

Serbia is not on the list of Non Eu countries so it falls within the non classified unlisted countries and the rules need a blood test 30 days after vaccine then 120 days to travel....http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/pet-owners/#c

As I say, many have done it with no problems, including us twice with 8 dogs each time......But its a gamble and therefore up to you....

OR.

You could get the blood test done in the Uk before you leave and it does cover travel through a non listed country and back

Pets travelling to an unlisted third country that have been identified, vaccinated and blood sampled 30 days after vaccination and can show a positive titration result before leaving the UK (or other Member State) may re-enter the UK without having to meet the 3 month waiting period. The vaccination, blood sample and positive titration result must be recorded on the pet passport which is required to be shown on re-entry into the EU.

1abroad · Senior Member Joined: Jun 21, 2010 Posts: 147

Im mad, so i caught a bus from my house in Clacton UK to Popovo Bulgaria. A dog and its owner got on at Victoria London, and got off at Sofia BG. We went through Serbia with no problems that I could see. And it only took me 3 days.

spannerman · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2012 7:34 pm Post subject:

Many thanks Brian42 for your indepth info/advice. Think Romania route it is.

brianj42 · Mega User! Joined: Oct 20, 2005 Posts: 2652

I have just explained to my wife, which I never before , that the nightmare scenario is such that all 8 dogs got their passports stamped/revoked and then you cannot get into the next EU country. Virtually landlocked in Serbia for 4 months whilst they go through the mill again. She freaked which is why I never explained it to her before the journey and said if she had known she wouldn't have taken the risk.......

Yes, we did it, and many many people have, and I have yet to read a single story of such problems. But the rules and systems are in place that it could happen, chances are very slim, but it could.

Only you can decide the risk factor....These are the facts do with them what you will.

Mat · Mega User! Joined: Feb 28, 2005 Posts: 3124

We're trying to take a rescue dog to an adoptive home in the UK and were looking at flying her as the road transport options appear limited these days - but it costs almost 700 euro to be processed at Heathrow. Now we have to wait for a transport by road, which could be weeks.